Band clamp with service outlet

ABSTRACT

A service outlet is provided in a flexible band clamp by forming an aperture through the band. The band is inwardly depressed around the aperture and a threaded fitting is disposed in the recess formed by the depression and welded therein. The gasket of the clamp also is provided with an aperture aligned with the aperture in the band.

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[54] BAND (ILAMP WITH SEIRWCE UUTlLET 3,284,109 11/1966 Parker ..285/197'72 Inventors: Michael J. Rafalski, .lr., 602 s. Falcon St. 3 223; wigs;2 6 4 Blase G. Celmer, 506 Koszciuszko St., ams 5/1 7 X both of southBend, 1 46619 3,472,537 Paterson [22] Filed: 1969 PrimaryExaminer-Thomas F. Callaghan [21] Appl No: 87 39 Attorney-William N.Hogg 57 ABSTRACT [52] lU.S. Cl ..285/197 l [51] Int. Cl ..Flfil 41/02 Aservice outlet is provided in a flexible band clamp by form- [58] Field011 Search ..285/197, 198, 199; 277/208 ing an aperture through theband. The band is inwardly depressed around the aperture and a threadedfitting is disposed in the recess formed by the depression and welded[56] References Cited therein. The gasket of the clamp also is providedwith an aper- UNITED STATES PATENTS ture aligned with the aperture inthe band.

1,967,466 7/1934 Damsel ..277/208 X 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BANDCLAMP WITH SERVICE OUTLET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates generally to flexible band clamps, and more particularly toflexible band clamps with service outlet connections.

In fluid distribution systems employing a main pipeline for conductingfluids, it is often desirable to connect the main pipeline with aservice pipeline having a smaller diameter than the main line. Theseconnections are made with fittings disposed to deliver fluid from themain pipe. However, these fittings often develop leaks due to corrosionor they are damaged in some manner, causing them to leak. When suchleaks occur, the fittings must either be repaired or replaced. Onecommon type of device which may be useful for initially formingconnections, or for replacement of a damaged or leaking fittings, is afull-circle band clamp with a service outlet connection.

The prior art proposals for these band clamps with the service outletconnections have provided an aperture in the band, in which is disposeda service outlet connection. One of the problems of the prior art is thetendency of the connection to leak in the region of the service outlet.In order to overcome this tendency or propensity toward leaking, therehave been several prior art proposals for forming service connectionswith specially shaped bases disposed within the flexible band. Also,additional gaskets have been provided within the band surrounding aservice connection area to reduce the tendency to leaking. Thesesolutions, while offering some improvement against leaking are somewhatexpensive because of the specially shaped and configured componentsrequired, and also the additional parts required often presentmaintenance problems and do not even then provide an entirelysatisfactory solution to the problem of leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION According to the present invention, animproved service connection clamp of the flexible band type is providedhaving a service outlet configuration which is extremely resistant toleaking and yet which is simple and economical to manufacture. Toprovide the service outlet connection, an aperture is formed in the bandand an aligned aperture is formed in the gasket within the band. Theband is deformed inwardly around the aperture to form a depressiontherein. Connector means preferably in the form of an internallythreaded tubular member is disposed within the depression and securedtherein preferably by welding. The inward deformation of the flexibleband results in a structure which provides increased sealing pressure ofthe gasket against the pipe in the region around the depression tothereby reduce the tendency of leakage in this region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. l is a side elevational view of aservice connection clamp according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, applied to apipe;

FIG. 3 is a view of the gasket utilized in the service connection clamplaid flat;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the planedesignated by the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane designedby the line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing andfor the present to FIGS. 1 and 2, a service connection clamp accordingto the present invention is shown. The clamp includes a flexible flat'metal band member 10. A pair of block members 12 and 14 are secured tothe opposite sides of the band member and are provided respectively withupwardly extending bolt-engaging lugs 16 and 18. These lugs are disposedto engage clamping bolts 20 extending therebetween. The clamping bolts20 are provided with nuts 22 threaded on the ends thereof and intightening the nuts, the blocks 12 and M can be drawn together, therebytightening the flexible band. This structure is shown and described incopending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 836,910 filed June 26, 1969entitled Pipe Repair Clamp.

Disposed within the flexible band 10 and secured to the opposite edgesthereof is a gasket member designated generally as 24. This gasketmember is similar in construction to that shown in U.S. Pat. applicationSer. No. 836,800 filed June 26, l969 entitled Sealing Gasket for PipeRepair Clamp." The gasket 24 is shown in detail in FIG. 3 and includes aplurality of circumferentially extending sealing ribs 26, andband-engaging lips 28 formed on opposite sides of the gasket. Theband-engaging lips maintain the gasket in proper position in the bandand when so positioned, the beads 26 are disposed so that the oppositeends of the beads 26 will be in substantial alignment, thus providing acontinuous annular sealing chambers as more fully described in saidapplication, Ser. No. 836,800.

In order to provide for a service outlet connection, an aperture 30 isformed in the gasket 24, and as can best be seen in FIG. 3, thisaperture 30 is formed between two adjacent sealing beads 26.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 the flexible band 10 is providedwith an aperture 32 which is slightly larger than the aperture 30 in thegasket and generally aligned therewith when the gasket is disposed inthe band. The band 10 is deformed inwardly around the aperture 32 toform a depression 34 which has an end wall 36. Disposed within thedepression 34 and engaging the end wall 36 is a generally tubularconnector fitting 38. The fitting of 38 is threaded internally and has agenerally arcuate-shaped base wall 40. The arcuate configuration of thiswall 40 substantially conforms to the arcuate configuration in thecircumferential direction of the flexible band 10, thereby conforming tothe shape of the end wall 36 when the band is bent. The fitting 38 iswelded to the band as shown at 42 to provide a secure connection betweenthe fittings 38 and the band 10.

To utilize the clamp, the nuts 22 are loosened on the bolts 20, and theclamp is slipped over the pipe to which the connection is to be made.The pipe is shown and designated as P in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, and anopening to the interior of the pipe is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 anddesignated as O. The clamp is adjusted so that the opening 30 in thegasket, and hence the fitting 38, are in alignment with the opening 0 inthe pipe, and the opening 30 is disposed so that it completely surroundsthe opening 0 in the pipe. The nuts 22 are then tightened on the bolts20 causing a radially inwardly direct force to be exerted against thegasket, which in turn produces a radially inwardly directed forceagainst the pipe P.

Because the band 10 is deformed inwardly in the region of the opening32, the gasket 24 in the region of this inward deformation is displacedinwardly from the remainder of the gasket. Because of this inwarddisplacement, a higher clamping force is developed around this area ofthe gasket.

Thus, in effect, this inward deformation provides a generally inwardlyprojecting annular ring of gasket material in the region surrounding theopening 0 which is effective to provide a much better sealingconfiguration; The tightness of this inherent sealing configurationeliminates the need for any special shaped bases or bosses on thefitting 38, and also eliminates the need of any separate sealing gasketsaround the opening 0. Thus, a simple, straight, internally threaded pipesection cut to an arcuate end shape can be utilized to provide thefitting for the connection and provide an effective seal around theservice outlet in the pipe.

We claim:

1. A service connection clamp comprising a flexible thin wall band, lugmeans disposed to tighten the band, a band-type gasket disposedinternally of the band for contact with a pipe, said band and saidgasket having aligned openings therein,

said band being permanently deformed inwardly around said 3 r openingtherein to form an inwardlyprojecting' annular ring depression aroundsaid opening resistant to distortion under pressure, the thickness ofthe band deformed inwardly being substantially the same as the remainderof the band, said inward deformation of said band causing acorresponding in- 1 ward deformation in said gasket upon firm contactbetween the band and gasket, said inward deformation of said gasketproviding an annular sealing ring of increased pressure by said deformedgasket around a givensurface of the pipe when the clamp is applied,connection means having an outlet therein aligned with the openings inthe band and gasket, said connection means being disposed entirelyoutwardly of the outer surface of said band, and means securing saidconnection means to said band.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said connection means isdisposed in said depression.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said depression hasbottom wallmeans disposed to engage and support one end of theconnection means.

1. A service connection clamp comprising a flexible thin wall band, lugmeans disposed to tighten the band, a band-type gasket disposedinternally of the band for contact with a pipe, said band and saidgasket having aligned openings therein, said band being permanentlydeformed inwardly around said opening therein to form an inwardlyprojecting annular ring depression around said opening resistant todistortion under pressure, the thickness of the band deformed inwardlybeing substantially the same as the remainder of the band, said inwarddeformation of said band causing a corresponding inward deformation insaid gasket upon firm contact between the band and gasket, said inwarddeformation of said gasket providing an annular sealing ring ofincreased pressure by said deformed gasket around a given surface of thepipe when the clamp is applied, connection means having an outlettherein aligned with the openings in the band and gasket, saidconnection means being disposed entirely outwardly of the outer surfaceof said band, and means securing said connection means to said band. 2.The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said connection means isdisposed in said depression.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2wherein said depression has bottom wall means disposed to engage andsupport one end of the connection means.
 4. The invention as defined inclaim 3 wherein said connection means includes an annular, internallythreaded member.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said oneend of the connection means has an arcuate configuration oriented in thecircumferential direction of the band.
 6. The invention as defined inclaim 1 wherein said gasket has a plurality of circumferentiallyextending sealing beads, and wherein said opening in said gasket islocated between two of said beads.